SPRINGFIELD -- Gov. Jay Nixon is tapping federal economic stimulus money. It will fuel $266 million in water and sewer projects around the state and is designed to save or create thousands of jobs.

These aren't glitzy projects, but they do require construction work. And Springfield is one of the biggest beneficiaries -- in line for $16 million.

In south Springfield, it's the city of Battlefield that's building a new wastewater pipeline, keeping workers at Rosetta Construction employed after a summer of stimulus subsides.

"The message we are sending today is that Missouri workers who have worked the summer are going to have a place to work in the fall. That's the key point," said Nixon.

While this work is unrelated, Nixon's goal is to keep contractors busy with public projects as private work remains stalled.

"We need projects out there. There are lot of contractors looking for work," said Victor Rosetta of Rosetta Construction.

He said the economic stimulus package did not generate an upswing in the construction market, as hoped.

"There's projects that sit on the shelf that maybe were ready to bid that were held back waiting with the chance of getting stimulus money. So no, this has not been. We have not really seen a real kick-start to the economy," said Rosetta.

While the impact of this public works plan is difficult to measure, the governor pledged thousands of jobs.

"Until we get the bids in, it's hard to tell exactly how many but, clearly, thousands of jobs will be either kept or created," said Nixon.

Still, in the construction world, no job is permanent and, based on recent bids, local companies know the competition for the work will be intense.

"We've had bidders anywhere from 15 to 20 on a project. Which is 2 or 3 times more than what it should be," said Rosetta.

To hear more from Nixon's stop, visit the Ky3 Political Notebook.

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